The Quokkas are an internationally franchised drinking team with a cricketing problem
Renowned for our fearsome lack of fear on the cricketing pitch, we bring our unique brand of sporting ineptitude and enthusiasm over ability to the ovals of our opponents

The outfield was lush and the tailwind heaving at the start of our game against the Old Bar. Snipper and Special were driving us nuts with their incessant chatter so I sent them in to open to get some peace and quiet. The boy from Broady was back for his first hit since March and made a lazy 38 of 20 odd balls. A few handy contributions from Dog and Sizzle and then some guy claiming to be the Rev hit 24 off 22 with shots everywhere. Rohan hit a lusty 26 including a 6 over cover and Monty 24 at a run a ball and we made a solid 162.

The Old Bar started briskly, but then some tight bowling from Jay (1/8), Monty (0/6) and the man claiming to be the Rev (1/4 off 2 – middle stump knocked out of the ground and not even a chance to get the Quokka man tune going). Old Bar went to drinks at 1/70…70 being 5m shorter than the 6 hit off Ami to the other side of Ramsden St. 9 balls after drinks it was all over as the Dog and Snipper ripped the hearts and souls out of the Old Bar middle order with 2/6 & 2/8 respectively. Special chipped in with 1/1 and a skier to point showed us that it really was the Rev….

The reeling rhythms of a Riverdance céilí pulsated over the turf of the Alfred Crescent oval to set a cheerful tempo for the inaugural mixed pub league game between The Old Bar and the Quokkas. Even before a ball was bowled, there was a victory for diversity in pub league cricket with 6 females participating for the Quokkas and 7 for the Old Bar.

Though it was offensively hot, the Quokkas innings was even-tempered with a credible opening partnership between Vibs and Ren. Vibs powered her way to 25 before retiring and Ren played a smart innings, displaying varied stroke-play for her highest Quokkas score of 17.

Karly was unlucky to get stumped and Cat also went cheaply getting herself run out backing up (in order to give others a go). Eliza cracked 8 singles – also a career best score.

Next in was the resilient Fiona who, despite being virtually blind after an operation on both eyes two days earlier, defied medical advice in order to play her first match in a decade or so.

Our opposition fielded many female first timers, many just learning the art of bowling. Dutchy poked a few singles with the near sightless Fiona, heroically holding up an end until lunch.

At the break the Quokkas totalled 4-95 off 20, and both teams were treated to “a delicious range of food with amazing salad” – Big Dog. Jigs and folk tunes continued to throb out of the adjacent Irish Festival and in the much less Irish heat the beer esky needed replenishing to keep up with the collective thirst of the players.

It took a bit of motivation to get going again but then the Old Bar innings was hectic. Vibs opened the bowling and swung the new ball more than a taped tennis ball, and then had to be removed from the attack because she was unplayable.

There was a moment of romance when Rev celebrated with Ren after taking a fine catch off her bowling. This caused some distress to Vibs, who needed reassurance that pashing was not a team custom.

Another highlight was Rens spectacular overhead running catch, or more accurately, a footy-style mark to the chest –slightly more painful with a cricket ball but effective nonetheless.

There was a respectful pause in play to mark the occasion of the naked cyclists’ procession through Edinburgh gardens, after which early drinks were called with the Old Bar on just 18. The Old Bar opted to let their female players bat twice allowing for an unequivocal victory for mixed cricket.

This weeks game is pure Quokka, designed to ensure those that want to play some social cricket (though don’t want the rigors of club cricket).

This game follows on from last years intra-club mixed game, which was considered a success & even drew the praise of Cricket Victoria for providing a bridge to Cricket to women that doesn’t necessarily otherwise exist.

The rules for this game have been somewhat modified to ensure everyone gets a go:

25 over game

No LBWs

No Wides (just rebowl)

Cant go out first ball

Retirement in the over the batsman gets to 20

Female players to bat / bowl first

Any excess overs (e.g. 22-25) are to be bowled by female players

Male players bowling to female players only to go off 3 step run-up

Female players can bowl from forward of the crease if needed

The Old Bar have been good enough to agree to a game and we hope it becomes a regular thing, not just with the Old Bar, but other pubs too.

Form Guide:

While the Quokkas YPCA team has had a fairly ordinary season, with only one win from nine games, the female players have been in pretty impressive form. Cat and Ren both played in our games in Sri Lanka, and have both played a number of games this season too, scoring runs and taking wickets.

The Quokkas had a warm-up mixed game last Sunday, where we saw some typically strong batting from Rosemary, Cat and Ren, as well as fast bowling from Karly and all-round dominance from Eliza.

Here’s hoping everyone can have a go and some fun Sunday.

In The Spotlight:

Karly has been an enthusiastic new starter to the group, attending several training sessions, and playing the VBCA game before this, her first Pub League match. She has impressed in the nets and in the recent inter-club mixed game with her pace bowling, which is surely linked to the energy gained from eating tofu as part of a vegan diet. Promises to be a real handful against The Old Bar if she gets her radar right.

Team News:

It’s always a distressing moment at QHQ when the selection committee comes forward and says there are more than enough numbers for the next week, it almost always means that half the team will drop out by the time you’ve had time to throw your cup of Earl Grey at them.

It often resembles the Boston tea party at QHQ

I’m happy to report that, at the time of writing, there are 14 listed as available for this weeks game and my tea is yet to stain the walls. Happier still, the Quokkas have up to 6 girls available for this game, which will go a long way towards giving interested punters a chance at a game.

Cat (c)

Ren

Karly

Eliza

Vibeke

Rosemary

Don

Jay

J Rod

Bowl’en

Big Dog

Snipper

Local

Dutch

Pitch and Conditions:

Alfred Crescent oval is the friend of Pub Cricketing batsmen, whichever pub they heil from. With its short & inviting boundaries, conveniently located loos, and ample shade provided by the trees that line it; it’s a great place to watch deliveries get belted into people having an otherwise enjoyable picnic.

Maybe aim for this guy

While the Australian mens cricket team is in India, the Indian summer has arrived in Melbourne and we are expecting a sunny day with a top of 32 degrees on Sunday. Make sure to slip, slop, slap and drink plenty of water.

Stats and Trivia:

Cat is the most capped female Quokka, with 7 YPCA appearances and 14 overall. Cat has scored 44 YPCA runs at 11 and is yet to bowl a ball in the league – quite an achievement!

Ren is the second most capped, with 2 YPCA appearances and 7 overall. While she only has 7 YPCA runs against her name, she did hit more 4s on the Sri Lanka tour than the Rev.

Eliza is making her 4th Quokka appearance and looks like she is ready for a break-out game after some excellent efforts in the warm up game & recent VBCA match

The “Ice Man” (J Rod, the bloke who brings the ice) is making his 40th Quokka appearance this weekend, which is the 5th most of anyone to wear the saggy maroon. The Plod has hit 346 YPCA runs at 14.42 with a top score of 41 not out. He has also taken 19 wickets at 22 at a RPO of 5.78. There is no statistic for his catches held.